Polish president sworn in as rival boycotts

Bronislaw Komorowski has taken the oath of office as Poland's new president, vowing to build national unity in a ceremony boycotted by the man he beat for the top job.

Mr Komorowski, a moderate conservative from the ruling Civic Platform, defeated Jaroslaw Kaczynski in the July 4 run-off.

The election was triggered by the death of Mr Kaczynski's twin brother, president Lech Kaczynski, in a plane crash in April.

"Poland needs cooperation between the most important institutions of the state - between the government, the parliament, the president but also between political parties," Mr Komorowski said in a speech to parliament after taking the oath.

"As president I declare my will for such cooperation."

Mr Kaczynski, who leads the right-wing main opposition Law and Justice, and some of his deputies stayed away from the ceremony.

Asked why Mr Kaczynski did not attend Friday's ceremony, the deputy head of his party, Beata Szydlo, said "clearly he has some other things to do."

Mr Komorowski reached out to his opponent in his speech.

"I want to thank the nearly nine million Poles who brought me to this post," he said.

"But I also remember that nearly eight million Poles voted for my rival and I aim to perform my duties hoping to convince and satisfy these Poles as well."